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    Groningen most “cultural” province in the Netherlands

    Rembrandt’s masterpiece to be exhibited in Groningen for the first time

    Prime Minister Rutte, economics minister Wiebes visit province of Groningen

    ‘Gronings Gas 2.0’ exhibition launches at earthquake epicenter

    Groningen: protesters demand safety for residents and an end to gas drilling in the Province

    Shell CEO: Groningen gas field should be closed this year

    ‘There’s a reason why I stayed to work in the Netherlands. Apply and give it a shot’

    ‘There’s a reason why I stayed to work in the Netherlands. Apply and give it a shot’

    Eemshaven’s docking problems force HNL to move to Emden

    Groningen resident wins 5.1 million euros in lottery

    Here’s when people will get the next energy bill help in 2023

    University of Groningen students stage sit in for social safety (UPDATED)

    University of Groningen students stage sit in for social safety (UPDATED)

    Construction of badger tunnel underway in Molkwerum

    Pride and passion: football in the northern Netherlands

    Police detain underage fan after FC Groningen player is punched in Eredivisie game

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      Groningen welcomes Qatar 2022 with cheer and criticism

      Groningen welcomes Qatar 2022 with cheer and criticism

      The anti Zwarte Piet protest in Emmen

      Emmen: Four people still detained after anti Zwarte Piet protest

      The inside of Forum Groningen

      “Let’s Gro” opens a discussion on the future of Groningen

      What about food in student city Groningen?

      Where to get knockout fries in the northern provinces

      Ukraine Food opens in Groningen

      Ukraine Food opens in Groningen

      Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

      Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

      “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

      “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

      Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

      Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

      Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

      Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

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        Luna: Leeuwarden light festival and young artists’ exhibition winding down this weekend

        Luna: Leeuwarden light festival and young artists’ exhibition winding down this weekend

        Groningen cultural center Usva

        Groningen makes international headlines for all the wrong reasons

        International Welcome Centre North

        International Welcome Centre North

        A woman.

        Groninger photographer Courtney Bonneau launches new exhibition in Lebanon

        Eurosonic Noorderslag

        Eurosonic Noorderslag

        Ending the Year with a Bang!

        Ending the Year with a Bang!

        It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

        It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

        A devastating defeat; an unexpected victory

        A devastating defeat; an unexpected victory

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        Sinterklaas is Here!

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          ‘There’s a reason why I stayed to work in the Netherlands. Apply and give it a shot’

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          International Welcome Centre North

          International Welcome Centre North

          The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

          The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

          Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

          Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

          It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

          It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

          People protesting on a street in Groningen.

          Former Sugar Homes residents protest for return of withheld deposit

          I’m not Black; I’m African

          I’m not Black; I’m African

          A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

          MPs call for cap on foreign student numbers in order to ensure ‘accessibility’

          Watch: I’m 100% positive about my Groningen internship – Hanze international student

          Watch: I’m 100% positive about my Groningen internship – Hanze international student

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            The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

            The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

            Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

            Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

            Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

            Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

            Small but mighty: TECNED is looking for internationals to help it grow

            Small but mighty: TECNED is looking for internationals to help it grow

            Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

            Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

            Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

            Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

            Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

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              Groningen most “cultural” province in the Netherlands

              Rembrandt’s masterpiece to be exhibited in Groningen for the first time

              Prime Minister Rutte, economics minister Wiebes visit province of Groningen

              ‘Gronings Gas 2.0’ exhibition launches at earthquake epicenter

              Groningen: protesters demand safety for residents and an end to gas drilling in the Province

              Shell CEO: Groningen gas field should be closed this year

              ‘There’s a reason why I stayed to work in the Netherlands. Apply and give it a shot’

              ‘There’s a reason why I stayed to work in the Netherlands. Apply and give it a shot’

              Eemshaven’s docking problems force HNL to move to Emden

              Groningen resident wins 5.1 million euros in lottery

              Here’s when people will get the next energy bill help in 2023

              University of Groningen students stage sit in for social safety (UPDATED)

              University of Groningen students stage sit in for social safety (UPDATED)

              Construction of badger tunnel underway in Molkwerum

              Pride and passion: football in the northern Netherlands

              Police detain underage fan after FC Groningen player is punched in Eredivisie game

              Trending Tags

              • Lifestyle
                • All
                • Food & Drinks
                • Nightlife
                • Shopping
                • What's happening
                Groningen welcomes Qatar 2022 with cheer and criticism

                Groningen welcomes Qatar 2022 with cheer and criticism

                The anti Zwarte Piet protest in Emmen

                Emmen: Four people still detained after anti Zwarte Piet protest

                The inside of Forum Groningen

                “Let’s Gro” opens a discussion on the future of Groningen

                What about food in student city Groningen?

                Where to get knockout fries in the northern provinces

                Ukraine Food opens in Groningen

                Ukraine Food opens in Groningen

                Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

                Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

                “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

                Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

                Trending Tags

                • Culture
                  • All
                  • Dutch history
                  • Typical Dutch
                  Luna: Leeuwarden light festival and young artists’ exhibition winding down this weekend

                  Luna: Leeuwarden light festival and young artists’ exhibition winding down this weekend

                  Groningen cultural center Usva

                  Groningen makes international headlines for all the wrong reasons

                  International Welcome Centre North

                  International Welcome Centre North

                  A woman.

                  Groninger photographer Courtney Bonneau launches new exhibition in Lebanon

                  Eurosonic Noorderslag

                  Eurosonic Noorderslag

                  Ending the Year with a Bang!

                  Ending the Year with a Bang!

                  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

                  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

                  A devastating defeat; an unexpected victory

                  A devastating defeat; an unexpected victory

                  Sinterklaas is Here!

                  Sinterklaas is Here!

                  Trending Tags

                  • People
                    • All
                    • Expats
                    • International students
                    ‘There’s a reason why I stayed to work in the Netherlands. Apply and give it a shot’

                    ‘There’s a reason why I stayed to work in the Netherlands. Apply and give it a shot’

                    International Welcome Centre North

                    International Welcome Centre North

                    The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

                    The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

                    Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

                    Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

                    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

                    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

                    People protesting on a street in Groningen.

                    Former Sugar Homes residents protest for return of withheld deposit

                    I’m not Black; I’m African

                    I’m not Black; I’m African

                    A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

                    MPs call for cap on foreign student numbers in order to ensure ‘accessibility’

                    Watch: I’m 100% positive about my Groningen internship – Hanze international student

                    Watch: I’m 100% positive about my Groningen internship – Hanze international student

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                      The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

                      The cold of the North is compensated by the warmth of its people – Ocean Grazer engineer

                      Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

                      Watch: A workplace that sells itself – CTO on working at Ocean Grazer

                      Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

                      Watch: We’re hiring internationals to help us with foreign clients – ACS Buildings CEO

                      Small but mighty: TECNED is looking for internationals to help it grow

                      Small but mighty: TECNED is looking for internationals to help it grow

                      Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

                      Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

                      Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

                      Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                      Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

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                      BlackTop Labs CEO Tanya Colonna: “In the end, it actually didn’t feel like a big jump, but more like the natural next step for our business”

                      The Northern Times by The Northern Times
                      May 23, 2019
                      in business, Opportunities
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                      What does it mean to make it in the north? In this series, we will be featuring local people, organisations, and companies working to further internationalise Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe. In this instalment, we meet Tanya Colonna, CEO of the medical tech-startup Blacktop Labs BV. Her company is creating clothes with built-in sensors to monitor fatigue during rehabilitation and athletic training sessions.

                      By Morten Pedersen

                      The restless and energetic demeanour which Tanya Colonna applies to the fast-moving medical sector shines through during our interview at the Launch Cafe in Groningen, which is where her medical tech start-up BlackTop Labs is based.

                      Coming from Cleveland, Ohio, how did you end up in Groningen?

                      The U.S. start-up scene is very large and the healthcare industry structure makes it difficult to design devices within a clinical environment. The complex cash flow and stakeholder network within the industry makes it very difficult for people who are not connected to large universities and hospitals to enter the start-up scene. This made it difficult to take the first step, as we weren’t sure whether to find funding, develop our product, or both at the same time.

                      After some time, though we had set up a scattered network, it required too much travel to be sustainable, so we began to look for accelerator programs to develop a central hub for our company and chose to look in other countries as well because of our need for the right environment. We were eventually accepted into the VentureLab North programme here in Groningen. In the end, it actually didn’t feel like a big jump, but more like the natural next step for our business. And now I’ve been here for a year and a half.

                      Has relocating BlackTop Labs to the North helped, business-wise?

                      It really has. We have found some really cool partners, both for development and clinical input. This environment has facilitated and enabled the capacity for design that we had been searching for since coming up with our concept. Here, it feels like our supporters actually understand us and see the potential in what we want to make.

                      What has made the most difference?

                      The Northern Netherlands’ business ecosystem really helps. It has very well-developed business networks, so it’s easy to find new supporters and get advice from someone that has done it before. The Launch Cafe, VentureLab North, and the International Welcome Center North (IWCN) have all been really good resources. The networking circles are also really small, so you can meet people very efficiently. And our current partners in the Netherlands seem to really understand what our needs are and can see how we can create a mutually beneficial working relationship, whereas many previous attempts at partnerships in the U.S. were abandoned due to clashes of company culture and working structure. People here are happy to be involved in something new and innovative, which makes it really easy to make new connections.

                      When you first arrived in the north, was there anyone in particular that was very helpful?

                      I wasn’t expecting any particular help when arriving, so I really threw myself into networking. However, there is quite a long list of people and organisations that have helped me in several ways: the accelerator programme was very helpful in terms of being positive and helping break the first contact barrier. All of the Dutch contacts that I have made speak English, and I’ve found that in business situations, it’s actually more about the content than the language used.

                      In terms of organisations, when I was trying to settle in in a more general sense, Karen Prowse at the IWCN really helped me settle in, like getting a BSN number, residence permits, a bank account and explaining the process of registering a business. The Launch Cafe was also great with getting a business address and completing the submission for the start-up visa. Finally, VentureLab assisted us in locating a subsidy advisor to complete a grant application from the Northern Netherlands, which gave us extra seed capital.

                      Aside from in business terms, have you found it easy to meet people otherwise?

                      Aside from business, it’s been great to experience the community aspect of the North. I started doing sports, including Acro-Yoga (a mixture of acrobatics and yoga). Aside from giving me time to think and unwind, it’s really great to meet a bunch of new people with common interests, especially when business development becomes stressful, and it’s great to have an escape.

                      Morten Pedersen is a facilitator working on the Make it in the North site. The IWCN is one of The Northern Times’ founding partners.

                      Tags: acceleratorAmericaBlackTopbusinessGroningeninternationalinternational welcome center northIWCNLaunchCafeMake it in the Northmedical techstart upTanya ColonnaUnited StatesVentureLab
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                      The Northern Times

                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

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                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

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